Note: This is the fourth in a series of journals that will be written by members of the SRU Athletes for Forgotten Angels group that will be in Haiti Jan. 12-17 helping the country recover from the earthquake that rocked the country two years ago. For more information and links to all journal entries, visit the Forgotten Angels homepage
Greetings from Haiti, day 4!
This morning we were invited to go to a service at Pastor Fan Fan's parish. We walked in to a full house, so we stood in the back until we were beckoned forward. Two of the front rows were saved for our arrival. We listened as the whole congregation sang in Creole. We were then introduced to the people of the town who were unaware as to why we were there. Pastor Fan Fan then spoke, and we were able to understand his message through a translator he picked from the EBAC orphanage. You could tell how passionate the people at this parish are about their faith. The service and the message were extremely moving. It is truly amazing to see how these people have endured so much in their lifetime and still have such unshakable faith.
After the conclusion of the sermon, we were flooded with people young and old expressing their appreciation for us coming to aid in their community this week. Some of the elder women came up and kissed our cheeks and thanked us for what we have accomplished in our time here. After, we walked to EBAC orphanage and spent time with the children while the older kids, Alice and Kathy prepared the hot dogs and macaroni and cheese for lunch.
The kids, as always, waited patiently for the meal. When the bell sounded for lunch they walked in orderly and took their seats. The settings were already placed with food and drink, and even still the kids left it be until they prayed. After prayer, they dug in! The town kids, not living in EBAC sat outside while the EBAC kids ate. Some of the EBAC kids came out and offered up some of their food to the town kids who were waiting for handouts and leftovers.
After lunch was over, the whole group burst into song of thanks to us for bringing the hot dogs and mac and cheese. They even sang the ever popular "Black and Yellow." Finally the singing and chanting ended and they left the dining hall.
Alexandra Fleagle stayed behind to help the workers and some of the kids clean up the dining hall. Some of the other girls went to make more bracelets with the kids, and
Jessica Shroyer even got her hair corn-rowed by a few of the older girls at the orphanage.
Emily Lobdell taught a young boy a new method of making bracelets and it soon spread to all of the children. Surprisingly, they did not make any bracelets for themselves. All were given to the visitors and we excitedly tied them on our wrists.
The young kids are so interested in getting their pictures taken and then looking through all of the pictures saved on the camera.
Sarah Cadwallader sat with a group of children for an hour going through all of her pictures. They are so interested in looking at pictures of our families and learning all the names of those in the photos. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing soccer with the older boys, making bracelets, listening to stories and just hanging out. They were curious to learn what we do on Sundays when we are home. Some of us replied "church" "watch football" or "watch movies," they were surprised to hear that we only attend church once a day and that we are allowed to watch tv on Sundays. It really made us realize how much we require to be satisfied. They are able to sit and enjoy each others company outdoors all day long without becoming bored, but in our society, we have become accustomed to always having a phone or the tv on. I think that's a lot of why I love being here. Life is so simple, yet it makes it so much more fulfilling.
Tomorrow is our last full day, it's sad to see this coming to an end. We have formed unconditional relationships with these children, and I am not looking forward to having to leave them on Tuesday. Looking forward to a good night of sleep tonight since we have a long and busy day tomorrow!
I said I'd let you know when I wrote the blog, so, Hi Mom!!
We're signing out now before the generator goes down!
Sarah Cadwallader &
Alyssa Barrett
